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enDefoe hoping for early Sunderland goalsAfter opening his pre-season account against Toronto, Jermain Defoe hopes to keep scoring ahead of Sunderland's Premier League opener.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/defoe-hoping-early-sunderland-goals
Jermain Defoe wants to get back among the goals in Sunderland's final pre-season matches so he is firing on all cylinders at the start of the Premier League campaign.
The England international netted both goals in Sunderland's 2-1 win over former club Toronto FC last week to end their tour of North America on a positive note.
Sunderland face Doncaster Rovers and Hannover before their opening match of the Premier League season with Leicester City, and the 32-year-old is hungry for more goals to get the confidence flowing.
"I always try to get off to a good start really," he told the Sunderland Echo. "I want to make sure I'm ready for those first few games and make sure I'm sharp.
"Sometimes it helps when you manage to get a few goals in pre-season, just in terms of confidence. But we want to get off to a good start to the season as a team too.
"Obviously if I can contribute and nick a few goals early on, then that obviously helps."news_articleMon, 27 Jul 2015 09:37:53 +0000Anonymous424223 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comDefoe brace spares Sunderland blushes in TorontoDespite trailing yet again, Sunderland ended their overseas tour with a much-needed victory over Toronto FC.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/defoe-brace-spares-sunderland-blushes-toronto
Sunderland got their first win of their North American tour at the last time of asking, coming from behind to edge Toronto FC 2-1 on Wednesday.
Dick Advocaat's men were staring down the barrel of three straight losses when Jonathan Osorio put the BMO Field hosts ahead early in the second half.
But a four-minute brace from ex-Toronto man Jermain Defoe gave the Premier League visitors a positive from their venture across the Atlantic Ocean.
Osorio should have put Toronto ahead in the shadows of half-time, but he somehow missed while trying to poke home from point-blank range.
But the 13-time Canada international immediately made amends after the break, burying a shot from 15 yards out as Sunderland trailed for the third time in as many matches.
Unlike their losses to Sacramento Republic and Pachuca, however, Sunderland managed to fight back - with Defoe equalising via a deflected strike off Toronto FC II defender Adam Bouchard.
Defoe, who scored 11 goals in 19 MLS matches for Toronto in 2014-15, then put in the winner for the Wearside outfit, tapping into an empty net after Adam Johnson drew goalkeeper Alex Bono and played in the Sunderland striker.
Sunderland goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon still had some nervous moments shortly after, with the Romanian doing well to save Toronto FC II forward Molham Babouli's strike from range - the powerful effort pitching in front of Pantilimon, but he managed to parry it wide for a corner.
The English club was able to hold on for their first win of the tour, but they will need to improve further in friendlies against Doncaster Rovers and Hannover before their Premier League opener against Leicester City on August 8.news_articleThu, 23 Jul 2015 01:09:03 +0000Anonymous422161 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comManagers men: footballs special relationships, by those who know bestWith Jordy Clasie following Ronald Koeman, Nick Moorechats to the players whove rarely been far from one boss...Nick Moorehttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/managers-men-footballs-special-relationships-those-who-know-best
As love affairs go, it had a shaky start. “The first thing Brian Clough ever said to me was to stand up straight, put my shoulders back and get my hair cut, because I looked like a girl,” recalls John McGovern about his fateful first meeting with Old Big ‘Ed as a teenage trialist for Hartlepool United in 1965. “It was a shock, because I thought he was just going to shake my hand and say ‘good luck, son’.
I had a rounded left shoulder which I couldn’t put back straight due to a missing muscle, and I fancied myself as the next Mick Jagger, so I didn’t want a haircut. He intimidated me. But I eventually realised that this was Brian’s unique way of testing your character.”
McGovern must have passed with flying colours: the tough-tackling Scottish midfielder romped into the first team under Clough, who later signed him for Derby County, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest – where he captained the side that won the European Cup twice. As a result, he also gained a sometimes unwelcome reputation as a ‘manager’s man’.
Being the apple of a gaffer’s eye is clearly a convenient way to get picked, but it comes with a hefty side helping of baggage. Team-mates, we will discover, can become envious, conspiratorial and try to sabotage a supposed ‘favourite’.
Should their employer move elsewhere, the golden child can suddenly find themselves exposed – and it can be plain embarrassing, too. “I bring him breakfast in bed,” joked James Morrison last year, after former Scotland supremo Craig Levein had ladled yet another gloop of effusive praise upon the West Brom star.
“Everyone asks me if I’m the manager’s pet, they keep bringing it up. Maybe he sees talent, or maybe he realises that I need confidence to get the best out of me. It’s nice. Hopefully he’ll get a top-four job and take me with him.”
Love at third sight
But what makes a blue-eyed boy? Are they do-gooders, bringing teacher an apple each morning? Do they possess a dossier of compromising photographs to use as blackmail? Or are they simply popular with the main man because they’re decent at kicking a round object? And can the relationship sometimes blur the barrier of professionalism so that boss and employee become that rarest of things: friends?
Like the unsettling theory that owners end up resembling their dogs, coaches clearly prefer individuals cast in their own image. Straight-talking Yorkshireman Neil Warnock might as well have been eyeballing a mirror when he praised Paddy Kenny, the goalkeeper he’d bought for the fourth time, back in July, “I think he’s great. He’s a northern lad, he knows what a pull Leeds is. He’s the most important signing I’ll make here.” Kenny replied in a similar no-nonsense manner. “He knows what he gets from me. I know what I get from him.”
If the savvy, cool and slightly sly Special One Jose Mourinho ever had a special one of his own, it was the savvy, cool and slightly sly Ricardo Carvalho. The Portuguese defender put pen to paper for his compatriot at Porto, Chelsea and Real Madrid, and on occasion their man-love looked like veering out of control.
“He’s one of the best central defenders in the world,” purred Jose. “If there was a possibility to sign, I would go there right now - swimming or running,” responded Ricardo before being reunited with his leader at the Bernabeu. Last summer it was Didier Drogba, re-signed at the ripe old age of 36.
Harry Redknapp’s hands-on management requires personnel that thrive on such methods, which is why he’s brought in Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch thrice apiece. “He’ll talk to me and be honest whether I’ve had an awful game or a bad game,” says Crouch, a confidence player who admits that Fabio Capello’s aloof attitude affected him negatively. “Harry’s way suits me.”
Capello’s own supremacy at Milan, Real Madrid and Roma was always aided by Christian Panucci, a hard-working, technically excellent defender who dovetailed precisely with his intelligent brand of calcio, while Marcello Lippi built from the back and deployed solid stopper Angelo Peruzzi in his net whenever possible, buying him on three occasions and praising him as “technically and morally” superb.
West Ham's former manager Sam Allardyce’s love affair with Kevin Nolan is largely thanks to the Scouser’s leadership qualities – something Big Sam possessed in spades as a combative centre-half back in his own boot-wearing days. “Kevin was the most important signing I ever made,” says Allardyce. “It isn’t just about what he does on the field, it’s what he does as a captain. He unites dressing rooms by his experience. And as a goalscoring midfield player, you have to look at his record. No one should underestimate Nolan.”
Indeed, when the midfielder picked up a second red card in four matches last season, the disappointment from Allardyce was palpable.“I'm going to have to find out what's wrong with him, becuase there is certainly something wrong with his mentality at the minute,” sobbed Big Sam.“You can expect it from somebody who's starting out - but not Kevin.”
Junior Senior
For FourFourTwo’s secret columnist The Player, it’s entirely logical for a manager to have preferences – after all, it eliminates gambling on someone you might not be able to work with. “I’ve followed a manager twice,” he says. “It’s what you know, so that helps, and it’s what he knows, so that helps him. Doesn’t the same thing happen in other businesses? Managers don’t know a personality or how they’ll gel before they work together.
"They can eliminate what can be a major problem by buying someone they trust. One former manager called me, and that led to a move. On another occasion, I was sat at home, not enjoying life at a Premier League club. So I called a former manager and told him to consider me. ‘That’s interesting,’ he said. A week later I moved clubs.”
Junior Lewis is surely the ultimate manager’s man, having been purchased six times as a player (for Dover Athletic, Gillingham, Leicester City, Brighton, Hull City and Stevenage Borough) and brought into clubs twice as a coach (Wycombe Wanderers, Bradford City) by Peter Taylor. “I think I must hold the world record,” he tells FourFourTwo. Lewis believes that Taylor saw similarities from his younger days. “We were both two-footed, but mainly left-footed, and we relied on a similar trick - feinting to cross but chopping back onto your right foot. I watched a video of him play once and I thought: ‘I do that’.
“He trusted me to keep things ticking over. I fitted his philosophy, and he brought the best out in me. But I didn’t assume that when he moved, I’d automatically follow. When he took over Leicester in the Premier League I did really hope I’d join, but I didn’t hear from him for ages.”
Now a coach himself at Canvey Island, Lewis has another theory as to how certain types can become invaluable to their boss. “Operating in a difficult position is one way to become a favourite, and I was always a two-footed holding midfielder. There aren’t a lot of us around, compared to more attacking players, probably because you don’t get as much glory.
"So having me in that role meant Peter always knew he had one position sorted.” Lewis, never encountered hostility from team-mates thanks to his status. “I was playing a position which nobody else really did, so the competition wasn’t there. There was a bit of joking, but not much beyond that.”
Black-eyed boy
This puts him in sharp contrast with John McGovern. In his excellent biography From Bo’Ness To The Bernabeu, My Story, the Scot recalls with distaste the abysmal treatment he received from Leeds United’s fans and players after Clough brought him in during his ill-fated 44-day reign.
“I was booed before I even came on for my debut. I was seen as his man, and I was wearing Billy Bremner’s shirt. Clough knew it wasn’t going to go well. Then Johnny Giles hit 60-40 balls in favour of my marker, which ended up with me being hurt by a crunching tackle. Johnny held his hands up in apology as I looked at him in disbelief – this was a player capable of pinpoint passes. Soon after, it happened again and I was cleaned out by an opponent’s tackle. Johnny lost an avid admirer that day.”
After Clough was sacked, McGovern found himself in a deeply awkward dressing room. “Angus McLean, the new boss, said ‘you’re Clough’s blue-eyed boy but I’m going to change that’. He treated me like dirt. I used to be sick on the pitch before games.”
The Player has also experienced this discomfort. “Being considered the manager’s pet can be a problem if he isn’t popular,” he says. “Other lads don’t trust you and think that you’ll blab to the manager.” There can be truth in this suspicion, too, he admits. “At one club where the manager wasn’t popular, I told the assistant manager what was going on in the dressing room, knowing full well it’d get back to him.
"I did that for the good of the club, because there were one or two devious characters who were trying to undermine an honest, hard-working coach. I realised that they knew what had happened two days later when some of the other players refused to sit next to me in the canteen. I’m glad I did what I did though, and I did it again. The manager eventually got rid of the bad eggs and things began to improve.”
McGovern didn’t have such power, and considered retiring from the sport – before Clough, now at the Derby, rescued him. But he wasn’t exactly treated like royalty by his supposed benefactor either. “When it is known that you’re a strong character, a manager can get harsh with you,” McGovern tells FourFourTwo.
“I worked for him for 14 years and probably got more rollockings than anyone. At Derby, Brian Clough used to say he was going to sign Keith Weller to replace me. At Forest he said he’d get Asa Harford - and he did. But it raised my game, the threat to my position.”
Clough was downright sadistic at times. “He never forgave me for us losing a cup final, and he brought it up every single time we played in the FA Cup after that. He even ran down the tunnel once at York City after me, because he’d forgotten to mention it.”
So why did it last? Clough valued obedience, hard work and character above all – and McGovern did what he was told. “I realised that if I put into practice what Brian was telling me, it would benefit both me and the team,” he says. “I developed a blind faith into carrying out his instructions on a football field, because I knew it’d work.
He had that annoying habit of being right. I was always striving to be better, so remembered what would benefit me, and Brian’s teaching was full of those things. We set exceptionally high standards, and if I didn’t meet them he’d admonish me.”
“I could pass with both feet. He’d ask me after a game: ‘why do I play you?’ I’d say: ‘to pass the ball.’ He’d say: ‘so pass the ball, or I’ll get somebody else who can, because you have that ability.’ He made me confident, and you play well when you’re confident.”
Football friends
Ultimately, however, a manager’s favourite will only remain such for as long as he is useful to the cause. “Ricardo is not part of our plans for the season,” Jose Mourinho said at a press conference about his former superman, before adding – rather coldly – that: “it is up to him whether he wants to continue playing football or stay at Madrid, meet his contractual obligations and practically end his sporting career.”
But a real closeness can develop between the two parties. “I suppose we were friends, although it didn’t go beyond football,” says Junior Lewis of Peter Taylor.
“I could always ring him up and discuss things, get advice. After the fourth time he signed me, we got on well. He could still kick me up the arse, but he knew it made me stronger. Peter didn’t really fall out with players, and that’s partly why he succeeded and won so many promotions.”
Kevin Nolan concurred when talking of his former gaffer. “I can’t get away from the fact that I’m close with the boss. I’ve grown up with him. I want to do it for him at West Ham. He deserves it.”
For others, the idea of actually being mates with the boss is laughable. “I never, ever got close to Clough, and I didn’t want to - the relationship wouldn’t have worked,” says John McGovern. “I was in management for seven years and you can’t have favourites. You pick the players that will do you the job, or you won’t last long.
Clough loved me if a tackle I put in saved us a point, but he only liked me if I did in on a Saturday. I was never Cloughie’s blue-eyed boy. We only ever had a couple of cordial conversations in our entire lives – years after I’d retired.
I was an estate agent in Tenerife and he brought the Forest team out for a break. He came to my house to have a coffee and watch a John Wayne film. We enjoyed the pleasantries of the day. It was genial, and not about football.”
Footballers' sons - the ultimate managers' men
As Julian Lennon and Kelly Osborne can confirm, it’s not always a bed of roses being the offspring of a celebrity – and being the child of a world-beating footballer can be particularly traumatic, especially if your old man keeps signing you. Consider Nigel Clough, signed by a father who referred to him as “the number nine”; Anthony Pulis – brought to clubs twice by dad Tony during a deeply unpromising career; and Fernando Sanz – who joined Real Madrid in 1996 when his dad, Lorenzo, was club president.
“I can’t go anywhere without people saying ‘You’ll never be as good as your dad’,” laments Paul Dalglish – who, it should be noted, will never be as good as his dad – of his career.
He probably wasn’t helped by the fact that despite a mediocre record as a youngster, said father gave him a schoolboy contract at Blackburn, before joining Celtic (Kenny’s old club), Liverpool (where pop certainly had some pals) and Newcastle (guess who was boss). He was frozen out by Ruud Gullit at St James’ Park following Kenny’s sacking, with the Dutchman telling Paul he was never going to play again because “he didn’t like my dad”.
Dalglish Junior has now found peace working in the USA, where he coaches Austin Aztex. “The American attitude to sport is positive,” he claims. It probably also helps that they’ve never heard about his connections.
Alex Bruce also suffered after signing for his father, Steve, at Birmingham City, with unavoidable accusations of nepotism being levelled – and the pair have since been reunited at Hull City. “I’ve had it all my life,” says Alex.
“When I joined Norwich they asked how I’d cope with being the son of a Norwich legend. For Leeds it was ‘how’s he going to cope with being a former Manchester United player’s son?’ But it’s water off a duck’s back.”
Steve added: “I just hope supporters can judge him like any other player. Lads like him have more advantages than disadvantages. Even at school people would say he’s only playing because of his dad.”
This feature originally appeared in the January 2013 issue of FourFourTwo. Subscribe!
featureThu, 16 Jul 2015 14:28:40 +0000Joe Brewin221374 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSunderland striker Defoe sets 20-goal targetDick Advocaat's decision to stay at Sunderland has delighted Jermain Defoe, who wants to reach the coveted 20-goal mark next term.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/sunderland-striker-defoe-sets-20-goal-target
Jermain Defoe has set himself a target of 20 goals next season, while expressing his delight that Dick Advocaat is staying on as Sunderland head coach.
Striker Defoe moved to the Stadium of Light from Toronto FC in January and found the net four times, including a stunning volley in a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United in April's Tyne-Wear derby.
Under Advocaat, Sunderland managed to secure Premier League safety.
The Dutchman originally stated that he would retire from football coaching before performing a U-turn to sign a new one-year deal, and Defoe is confident of being the main goal threat in the 67-year-old's frontline.
"He [Advocaat] just said from day one that all he wants is for the players to be sharp every day in training, apply yourselves and do the same in the game," Defoe told Sky Sports News.
"If you don't want to do that in training, then you won't play, it's as simple as that. He doesn't care who you are.
"When a new manager comes in, it keeps you on your toes and with someone like Dick, who has been in the game so many years, you respect someone like that.
"During the off-season I always keep myself fit. I try not to eat too much and get the rest - the season is so long - but after a couple of weeks I'm ready to go back, ready to train.
"Hopefully we'll have a good pre-season and we can start the season really strong. People say you should always aim for 20 goals in a season and if I'm scoring goals it's only good for the club and the team."news_articleSun, 28 Jun 2015 17:56:09 +0000Anonymous410297 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comDefoe highlights quartet as potential Advocaat replacementsAs Sunderland search for another new coach, Jermain Defoe has offered his view on who he would like to take over.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/defoe-highlights-quartet-potential-advocaat-replacements
Jermain Defoe has highlighted four coaches as potential replacements for ex-Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat.
Advocaat, who took over on a short-term deal following Gus Poyet's exit in March, confirmed last week that he would not be extending his stay after saving the club from Premier League relegation.
The Dutchman's departure leaves Sunderland searching for a fourth head coach in less than two years.
And Defoe told Sky Sports News: "The managers that are out of work now, obviously Sam Allardyce, Steve McClaren, whose someone that I've played under for England, good coach, I've always enjoyed training [with him].
"Harry Redknapp is out of work, I've played with Harry throughout my whole career.
"There's more people speaking about David Moyes coming back to the Premier League. I think the names that I've just said I'm sure they'll be in the race to get the job."
Whoever takes over at the Stadium of Light, Defoe is determined to ensure the Wearsiders are not fighting against the drop again next season.
He added: "After the Arsenal game when we stayed up, I said, 'yeah it was good we stayed up' but at the same time we do not want to be in the same position next season, scrapping for results and at the same time looking at other results.
"You want to be in a position, especially in the second half of the season, where you can enjoy your football and think about finishing somewhere where the club has never finished before."news_articleWed, 03 Jun 2015 08:39:43 +0000Anonymous398172 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comDefoe: We want Advocaat to stayDick Advocaat has guided Sunderland to safety and Jermain Defoe wants to see the Dutchman agree a new deal with the club.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/defoe-we-want-advocaat-stay
Jermain Defoe says Dick Advocaat has the backing of the whole Sunderland squad to stay on as head coach after steering the club to Premier League safety.
Wednesday's 0-0 draw at Arsenal secured Sunderland's top-flight status for another season, with Advocaat having earned 12 points from eight matches at the helm.
The Dutchman's deal expires after the final game of the season at champions Chelsea and he expects a decision to be taken next week, with Defoe hoping the 67-year-old - who was in tears at the final whistle at the Emirates Stadium - sticks around.
"It would be nice if he could stay," Defoe said in quotes reported by The Chronicle.
"I think all the lads would like him to stay.
"But at the end of the day, it's down to him. It's his decision and we'll see what happens.
"But if he does stay, it will be good for the football club.
"It's been difficult to stay up, but it's good."
The stalemate in north London represented Sunderland's third clean sheet on the bounce and moved them four points clear of the bottom three.news_articleThu, 21 May 2015 08:33:02 +0000Anonymous391847 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comEverton 0 Sunderland 2: Black Cats luck comes inA pair of fortuitous goals helped Sunderland see off Everton 2-0 at Goodison park, hugely boosting their Premier League survival hopes.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/everton-0-sunderland-2-black-cats-luck-comes
Sunderland's luck finally came in on Saturday as a pair of deflected goals helped them see off Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park.
Danny Graham has endured a largely miserable two-and-a-half years since moving to the Stadium of Light from Swansea City, but his telling touch on Jordi Gomez's drive put Sunderland ahead after they had soaked up huge pressure from the hosts.
Dick Advocaat had targeted a point pre-match, with his set-up seemingly backing that up, Jermain Defoe playing the first half as an auxiliary right wing-back to sum up Sunderland's approach.
James McCarthy hit the post with a well-hit effort shortly after Graham's goal, but Defoe himself was the beneficiary of more penalty-box pinball to pile pressure on Sunderland's direct rivals at the bottom of the Premier League.
Having pulled themselves from the fire in the dying embers of last season, Sunderland again have a great chance of securing top-flight status for another season.
Everton's own hopes of salvaging a top-10 finish from their disappointing campaign are fading after a second-straight defeat.
Sunderland began with none of the urgency their situation required, allowing Everton to totally dominate the early going.
Having seen their resurgent run checked at Aston Villa last week, Everton took few risks with Romelu Lukaku often crowded out in attack as a result.
The visitors grew into the half somewhat, though their immediate and long-term plight was perhaps summed up as Defoe - who spent much of the half running towards his own goal tracking Leighton Baines - saw a fierce effort deflected wide by strike partner Connor Wickham.
Costel Pantilimon was called upon to keep scores level three minutes before the break, smothering Lukaku before denying Leon Osman's firm hit.
The pattern of play continued after the break and Lukaku was guilty of wasting two headed chances from corners.
The Belgian was punished with 54 minutes played as Gomez's sweet strike caught the foot of Graham and bounced over a helpless Tim Howard.
Seamus Coleman twice went close and McCarthy's arrowing shot clattered Pantilimon's right-hand post as Everton forced Sunderland to work for their win.
Republic of Ireland international Coleman also saw penalty appeals waved away but visiting nerves were settled as substitute Steven Fletcher weaved through a static Everton defence before finding fellow replacement Adam Johnson.
The winger's shot bounced off Coleman and onto Defoe's thigh before bobbling past Howard to spark wild celebrations in the away end.
Victory moves Sunderland onto 36 points, a tally enough to secure safety last term, and next weekend's home clash with Leicester City is shaping up to be a season-defining fixture.news_articleSat, 09 May 2015 13:38:15 +0000Anonymous386329 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comDefoe: Days like this why you play footballSunderland striker Jermain Defoe revealed the atmosphere surrounding his wonder goal against Newcastle United caught him unawares.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/days-why-you-play-football-defoe
Defoe was seen wiping away tears after scoring with a spectacular20-yard volley duringfirst-half stoppage-time in Sunday's Tyne-Wear Derby at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.
The brilliant strike ultimatelysecured a 1-0 win for the home side, and Defoe divulged that he had been touched by the enormity of derby day in the north east of England.
"I tried to hold it back but it's just a special moment and for the fans as well," the 32-year-old told Sunderland's online channel SAFSee.
"I said before in the presser, coming to the game on the bus and just seeing the kids in the street and how much it means to the people here, it just caught me really.
"The atmosphere was unbelievable, electric, from the warm-up and to score a goal like that and give them something special, it was amazing."
Defoe rated the goal, a left-footed volley after a knockdown from Steven Fletcher, as one of the best of his career.
It was Defoe's third in the Premier League since joining Sunderland in the January transfer window.
"It's definitely up there. I think the strike, how it came about, just before half-time - and it's on my weaker foot, and in a massive game - the game of the season, so I suppose to score a goal like that and get the three points, it's an unbelievable feeling," he said.
"Days like this, this is why you play football. It's just an amazing day."
The victory against their arch rivals lifted Sunderland up to 15th in the Premier League, three points clear of the relegation zone - and ended an eight-game winless run.
"I think the key factor was the energy," Defoe said.
"Everybody worked hard, gave it everything."
news_articleMon, 06 Apr 2015 08:44:50 +0000Anonymous371590 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comKrul plays down Defoe exchange at half-timeNewcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul says he is as hurt as the clubs fans despite appearing to congratulate Jermain Defoe during their derby defeat to Sunderland.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/krul-plays-down-defoe-exchange
Defoe's stunning volley proved the only goal of the game at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland recorded a fifth consecutive victory over their North East rivals.
Krul was spotted chatting with Defoe in the tunnel at half-time but the Netherlands international maintained it was not a sign that he did not care about the loss.
"I think it was an unbelievable goal," Krul told Sky Sports.
"What I actually told him I probably can't repeat on television because it wasn't just a nice gesture.
"It was a fantastic goal, you have to accept that. What I actually told him was more in the region of what a lucky guy he is with a bit more venom behind it.
"I've been here 10 years at this club and I'm as hurt as anyone. It's not justified.
"I'm a Geordie, I've been here 10 years and I'm going home with a lot of pain in my heart, to see those fans having to travel back without a win again hurts me as much as them.
"That has to come across."
news_articleSun, 05 Apr 2015 18:53:12 +0000Anonymous371351 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comJermain Defoe at Bournemouth: A prolific Prem hitman discovers a taste for goalsLoans arent easy. Youre shacked up alone in a hotel and team-mates are angry at losing their first-team place to young Billy Big Boots. Or alternatively, youre Jermain Colin Defoe...Huw Davieshttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/jermain-defoe-bournemouth-prolific-prem-hitman-discovers-taste-goals
When Defoe joined Bournemouth from West Ham in 2000/01, hopes weren't especially high. Steve Fletcher, who spent 20 years with the club, recalls: "I'll be honest: he didn't stand out in training. In his first game, he scored a header and I thought, 'Yeah, that's not bad, but he's only all right.'"
But Sean O'Driscoll, in his first managerial season, had seen something he liked. "Jermain inspired the easiest half-time team talk I've ever given," O'Driscoll, who later managed Doncaster and Nottingham Forest, tells FourFourTwo.
"He'd been with us 24 hours when we were away at Stoke, and in the first half he hit the post and scored a goal. He was an absolute handful. I walked into the dressing room and just said, 'Give him the ball.'"
"The team talk was all devoted to that," confirms midfielder Richard Hughes, who played with Defoe at both Bournemouth and Portsmouth. "It had taken Sean 45 minutes to realise he was too good for our opponents."
Eight matches later, Defoe had added another 10 goals to his tally and was one match and one goal away from breaking a post-war record by scoring in 10 consecutive league games – his first 10 league games. It hadn't all been a piece of the proverbial. "We were getting beat 2-1 by Luton, when Jermain was eight games into his run, and we got a penalty in the 83rd minute,” remembers Hughes.
“I was on penalties and the Luton goalkeeper, the late Mark Overdale, was a former team-mate so I knew what he would do. Then Jermain tried to grab the ball off me, saying, 'Please, please, I want that record.' I said, 'I couldn't care less about your record – we're 2-1 down with seven minutes to go!' He wasn't happy but I pulled rank... then Jermain scored the winner in the last minute."
Things went Defoe's way in that New Year's Day game but in the 10th match, hosting Cambridge, fate conspired against him. More precisely, Wade Elliott's elbow conspired against him. With Bournemouth down to 10 men after half an hour thanks to Elliott's rush of blood to John Dreyer's head, Defoe was moved to the wing, as unnatural for the young striker then as it would be now.
"Sean O'Driscoll said to Jermain, 'Look, I know you're going to be upset but you'll have to sacrifice this personal achievement for the team and play out wide,'" remembers Fletcher.
And still the chance came. "It was a great ball from Carl Fletcher and I saw the keeper come out," said Defoe afterwards. Did the record affect his clinical thinking? Given that 10 years later he'd nervously miss several chances to score his 100th Premier League goal while wearing a T-shirt prematurely celebrating the milestone, what do you think?
"I was going to dink it over him," Defoe explained, "but the record was on my mind. I thought, 'No, I'm going to make sure.' So I went round him. I didn't look at the goal – I just got my head down and pinged it."
Fortunately, the ball found its home. Defoe had broken the record. Or had he? Claims emerged that others had already scored in 10 consecutive league matches – specifically, Southampton's Ron Davies and Billy McAdams of Manchester City. "I'm not sure what's happening," Defoe confessed at the time.
No matter. The 18-year-old didn't go on to break Dixie Dean's record of scoring in 12 straight games or Pele's of 16 but he continued to shine. Defoe T-shirts were sold; supporters chanted 'Who let Defoe out?' (answer: Harry Redknapp). "You could almost guarantee he'd score," chuckles Cherries fan Alan Levy. "We'd already had Rio Ferdinand at Bournemouth. It helps having your old manager at a Premier League team."
"He'd score ridiculous goals in training and lads would applaud – I haven't seen that [again] in a 25-year career," says Fletcher about Defoe, not Rio Ferdinand. "His goal at Oxford left us apologising to the opposition bench," reminisces O'Driscoll. "He was running away from goal and you thought he was going to recycle the ball when he swivelled and chipped the keeper from a tight angle."
Defoe was paired with targetman Fletcher up front. "They thrived together; Fletcher acted as a protector for him on the pitch," says O'Driscoll. Fletcher laughs. "With Jermain running at big, hard centre-halves and scoring goals like they were going out of fashion, he annoyed a few people. They wanted to kick 10 bells of crap out of him. Being a big lad, I looked after him."
Fletcher benefited from the loan as much as Defoe. "You're only as good as your partner. I'd made a career out of my aerial presence, flicking the ball on, and with Jermain sticking it in the back of the net I received accolades as well. Sometimes I'd win a header and he'd take it down, beat two players and stick it in the top corner from 25 yards – and I could claim an assist!"
It wasn't all smiles. "On one away trip Jermain, being naïve, left his room key with someone," Fletcher reveals. "We trashed it - not too badly, just ripped the cover off, a bit of tea and sugar on the bed. He wasn't a happy bunny. I put an arm around him and said it was just banter."
And during his incredible run, Defoe did fail to score in one game: at home to Dover Athletic in the LDV Vans Trophy. Rubbish, really.
SEE ALSO
David Beckham at Preston
John Terry at Nottingham Forest
Frank Lampard at Swansea
Peter Crouch at Dulwich Hamlet
Additional reporting: George Solomon
featureMon, 16 Feb 2015 12:00:00 +0000James Maw329102 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comParkinson warns of jewel in the crown DefoeBradford City must shut out Jermain Defoe if they are to progress past Sunderland in the FA Cup on Sunday, according to boss Phil Parkinson.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/parkinson-warns-jewel-crown-defoe
Phil Parkinson has warned his Bradford City side of the dangers posed by Jermain Defoe - labelling the striker as Sunderland's "jewel in the crown" ahead of Sunday's fifth-round clash.
Defoe has scored twice in five appearances for Sunderland since moving from Toronto FC last month and is likely to feature against City at Valley Parade.
If City - conquerors of Chelsea in the last round - are to knock out Premier League opposition again this weekend, Parkinson feels Defoe needs to be stopped.
"I've seen two of their last three games and you've got to say Defoe is the jewel in the crown at the moment," Parkinson explained on Friday.
"His movement in the box is exceptional, that's why he has such a good goalscoring record. We're going to have to make sure our concentration levels are right.
"Can we stop the balls coming and, when it's in the box, we have to concentrate until the end."
Much of the build-up to this weekend's tie has centred on comments made by Sunderland boss Gus Poyet - who described the Valley Parade pitch as "one of the worst in the country".
Parkinson, who was also critical of the surface recently before retracting his comments, added: "We want the pitch to be in the best condition it can be as we've got some good footballers but whatever the state of the pitch is we've got to try and be the best team on it.
"Anyone who saw the game [against MK Dons] on Monday, saw some great football played - I don't think it's as bad as people make out.
"We're going to look forward to the occasion but when the whistle blows it's important that we focus on the factors that will give us the best chance.
"We've got to take confidence from the Chelsea victory and the lads are in a confident state of mind on the training ground.
"But we've also got to go into the game with an underdog mentality - to put into perspective one of their mid-earners will be earning more than our whole squad put together.
"There's a huge gulf but my job and the rest of the coaching staff is on Sunday to make sure the gulf isn't that evident and that's what we'll try to do."
news_articleFri, 13 Feb 2015 17:31:56 +0000Anonymous343249 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comPoyet pleased with Black Cats striking optionsSunderlandhead coachGus Poyet has been buoyed by the news that Connor Wickham could be back from a calfinjury in time for Tuesdays Premier League tie with QPR.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/poyet-pleased-striking-options
January signing Jermain Defoe has scored two goals in his three league games and Poyet claims he cannot afford to drop the former Toronto striker at the moment.
Wickham now goesup against fellow forwards Steven Fletcher and Danny Graham to decide whogets to partner Defoe upfront.
Although the news on Wickham's injury could give Poyet a bit of a headache, he claims he is delighted with the options he now has at his disposal.
QPR,who remain without a permanentmanagersince Harry Redknapp's departure last week, are currently in 19th place, losing their last four in the league.
"I feel great about the possibility of using the four strikers as much as we can," Poyet told the Sunderland Echo.
"We’re trying to see which is the best partner, the one who gives us the most.
"The sooner he [Wickham]gets back, the better for him because it means there's less chances for someone else.
"You need that competition to maintain what we want to do - to play higher up the pitch and be more aggressive up front.
"You need the players up front to be fresh, holding the ball and making the difference."
The sides met back in August, Rangers prevailing1-0 with a goal from Charlie Austin, who will miss Tuesday's meeting with a bruised foot.
news_articleTue, 10 Feb 2015 12:39:06 +0000Anonymous341070 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSwansea 1-1 Sunderland: Defoe has now scored against how many current Prem sides?Facts and stats from Swanseas score draw with Sunderland using award-winning Stats Zone...http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/swansea-1-1-sunderland-defoe-has-now-scored-against-how-many-current-prem-sides
Swansea boss Garry Monk was left to lament his side's profligacy in front of goal after being held by the Black Cats in South Wales.
The home side had already carved out 8 opportunites in 42 minutes without reward when Jermain Defoe bagged his second Sunderland goal in as many appearances since arriving from Toronto.
But Gus Poyet's men would go on to fashion just 1 more chance and have to settle for a point after being thwarted by a familiar face.
Ki Sung-yueng made 34 appearances on loan for Sunderland last season and popped up with a diving header for his parent club having had an earlier effort ruled out for offside.
Defoe has now scored at least 1 league goal against every current Premier League side.
Defoe has netted 2 goals in his last 2 Premier League games for the Black Cats.
Ki has netted 4 league goals this season, 1 more than he managed in his 2 previous top-tier campaigns.
The Swans have kept just 1 clean sheet in their last six top-tier clashes.
Swansea have scored exactly 1 goal in 9 of their last 10 Premier League matches, failing to find the net in the other game in that run.
Sunderland have thrown away 14 points from leading positions this season, a figure only Everton and Swansea can ‘better’.
Sunderland have only won 1 of their 8 Premier League meetings with Swansea (W1 D5 L2).
Analyse Swansea 1-1 Sunderland yourself using Stats Zone
featureSat, 07 Feb 2015 22:00:00 +0000Gregg Davies338878 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comPoyet: Sunderland are a different team with DefoeGus Poyet was full of praise for goalscorer Jermain Defoe after Saturdays 1-1 draw at Swansea City and believes Sunderlandare a different propositionwith the England international in their squad.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/poyet-sunderland-are-different-team-defoe
Defoe moved to the Stadium of Light from MLS outfitToronto in January and opened his account for the Premier Leagueclub in last weekend's 2-0 victory over Burnley.
The ex-Tottenham strikerwas on the scoresheet again at the Liberty Stadiumwith a clinical 18-yard finishshortly before half-time.
Former Sunderland loanee Ki Sung-yueng's second-half header earned Swansea a point, but Poyet believes Defoe's addition has boosted the confidence among a Sunderland team who are now four unbeaten in all competitions.
"With Jermain we are a different team," he said.
"When you have a player you know is sooner or later going to score, it makes the rest of the team believe that they have a chance to win football games so it's a pleasure to have him."
Defoe has hit the ground running despite having not played forthree months before his Sunderland debut at Tottenham last month.
Poyet revealed plansto give Defoe a rest at some point after four consecutive starts, but intends to utilise the former West Ham man while he is in top form.
"I've been killing myself thinking do Ineed to give him a rest because he didn't play, but I'm sorry Jermain I can't - I need him to play," he added.
"He was out when he finished the league [MLS] andhe was training on his own and he came and wethrew him in against Spurs.
"The idea is to make sure you don't take a big risk but make sure you use him wisely. But you can't let games go past and not play Jermain Defoe. I'mglad we used him and he scored, it means the decision was good for everyone."
news_articleSat, 07 Feb 2015 18:39:12 +0000Anonymous339329 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSunderland 2-0 Burnley: Defoe has scored against how many of the 37 top-flight teams hes faced?A significant victory for the Black Cats on a tough day for strugglers, as seen through the eyes ofStats Zone...http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/sunderland-2-0-burnley-defoe-has-scored-against-how-many-37-top-flight-teams-hes-faced
Jermain Defoe's first goal for Sunderland helped Gus Poyet's men to a relieving 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Burnley at the Stadium of Light.
Connor Wickham's third league goal of the season fired the Black Cats ahead after 20 minutes, before Defoe struck a second before half-time.
On a day where Leicester, QPR, Hull, West Brom, Crystal Palace and Burnley all lost, this was a huge three points for the north-east side, who lift themselves four points above the drop zone.
Sunderland have won 7 and lost 0 of their last 9 home games against Burnley in league competition.
Sunderland scored with 2 of their 3 shots on target versus Burnley.
The Clarets have only kept 1 clean sheet in their 30 Premier League away matches, conceding 2 or more in 24 of them.
Connor Wickham's last 5 Premier League goals have all arrived at the Stadium of Light.
Burnley have conceded the most headed goals in the Premier League this season (12).
Jermain Defoe scored his first Premier League goal since January 2014.
Burnley are the 33rd different team Defoe has scored against in the Premier League (out of 37 teams faced).
Defoe has scored in 14 consecutive Premier League campaigns.
Sunderland recorded their first Premier League win in 6 attempts (D1 L4).
Analyse Sunderland 2-0 Burnley with Stats Zone
featureSat, 31 Jan 2015 18:39:26 +0000Joe Brewin334500 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com